Understanding Cost Disparities in Dengue-Endemic Countries

Analysis of the global economic burden of dengue fever shows disparities in the distribution of dengue costs country-by-country.

graph showing dengue fever costs in regions of the world

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Donald S. Shepard and colleagues of Brandeis University and the University of Washington conducted a systematic analysis examining the global economic burden of dengue fever. The Aedes aegypti mosquito transmits dengue fever, which is also the vector for the chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. Published in The Lancet, the systematic analysis highlights disparities in the distribution of dengue costs country-by-country.

The study used data from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation to measure the global economic burden of cases in 141 dengue-endemic countries. Shepard and colleagues calculated a total annual global cost of $8.9 billion resulting from 58.4 million cases of dengue fever. By comparing country costs, the researchers inform policymakers, donors, and researchers of dollars saved if the world mitigated transmission of dengue fever.

Databyte via Donald Shepard, Eduardo Undurraga, Yara Halasa, and Jeffrey Stanaway, The Global Economic Burden of Dengue: A Systematic Analysis. The Lancet.